Shalom Families!
Welcome to our improved religious school. We’re excited to share details about our Wisdom Garden Shul School (WGSS) program:
Our WGSS program engages students to explore and cultivate their Jewish identity and deepen their Jewish knowledge base. Through creative and meaningful approaches (including art, movement, drama, discussion, nature, cooking and music), students engage with Jewish values, step inside our people’s sacred stories, gain proficiency, understanding, and meaning with prayers, rituals, and holidays, and learn to read learn Hebrew vocabulary for rituals and holidays.
We have over 30 students between the ages 4-13, and a dedicated staff of teachers and teen aides. Our B’mitzvah students attend the WGSS B’mitzvah class and work 1:1 with a Hebrew/Torah/Haftarah tutor in their final year of preparation. They also meet with the Rabbi Julie or Rabbi Rachel to work on their mitzvah project and d’var torah.
Caregivers are also welcome to remain in the building or backyard during school hours.
Throughout the year, caregivers are invited to join the rabbis in the Library—building relationships, exploring conversations about parenting and Jewish life, and supporting one another. Families in the older grades may also have sessions with special activities (sometimes with students) as part of the journey toward B’Mitzvah.
If you’re not yet a member but are curious about joining, please reach out to the rabbis. They’d love to help you get to know each congregation and explore whether one—or both—might feel like the right home for your family. Both congregations welcome everyone and offer flexible, personalized dues options. If you join both, we encourage you to consider supporting each at the same level.
Please be in touch with
Amy Schoppert, shulschool@emekshalom.org,
Rabbi Rachel rabbi@ashlandhavurah.org
or Rabbi Julie rabbijulie@emekshalom.org
With joy & excitement,
Amy, Rabbi Rachel, and Rabbi Julie